Keeneland Barn Notes: Louisville Thoroughbred Society Winner Bentornato Works for Breeders’ Cup Sprint

(Bentornato wins the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• CYGAMES BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT CANDIDATE BENTORNATO BREEZES
• TROMBETTA HOPES SAME SCHEDULE NETS SAME RESULT IN SUNDAY’S FRANKLIN FOR FUTURE IS NOW
• WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, SPENDTHRIFT AND COX DELIVER A HORSE TO WATCH
• RAGTIME HEADS DEEP FIELD FOR LEXUS RAVEN RUN
• BAFFERT DUO TOPS PERRYVILLE FIELD OF SIX
• WORK TAB
• PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• FALL MEET LEADERS

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CYGAMES BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT CANDIDATE BENTORNATO BREEZES

Leon King Stable’s Bentornato — a leading contender for the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar and the subject of an exclusive offering at the Keeneland Championship Sale — tuned up for the race Saturday by breezing a half mile in :50.80 under Irad Ortiz Jr. (Click here for a video of the work.)

On Oct. 29, a 25% ownership interest in Bentornato — second in the Sprint last year — will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale in the Del Mar Paddock.

Trainer Jose D’Angelo noted that Bentornato’s past and future racing schedule will appeal to buyers at the Championship Sale.

“It is a unique opportunity to become a partner,” he said. “This year we gave him time off to mature and grow. He is fresh and a good candidate to win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. And he will be fresh if we decide to go to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).”

The Saudi Cup, billed as the world’s richest race, will be contested Feb. 14 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

D’Angelo was pleased with Bentornato’s activity this morning.

“The work was good with a strong gallop out like we had talked about,” he said. “He started slow and relaxed like he did in his last race (when he won the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13.)

The Louisville Thoroughbred Society was Bentornato’s first start since the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, when he was beaten a half-length. His record stands at 6-2-2 in 10 starts, which includes his triumph in the 2024 Gallant Bob (G2).

Rather than sending Bentornato back to his Florida base, D’Angelo opted to remain in Kentucky and train at Keeneland.

“We thought the (cool) weather would help him instead of going straight to California or back to (my base) in Florida,” he said.

Bentornato ships to Del Mar on Oct. 27.

TROMBETTA HOPES SAME SCHEDULE NETS SAME RESULT
IN SUNDAY’S FRANKLIN FOR FUTURE IS NOW

The Estate of R. Larry Johnson’s Future Is Now has made two previous trips to Keeneland with both ending in success with victories in last fall’s Franklin (G2) and this spring’s Giant’s Causeway (G3) in her 5-year-old debut.

She returned this week for a date in Sunday’s 29th running of the $400,000 Franklin (G2) and a chance to become the first repeat winner of the 5½-furlong grass test since Ayrial Delight in 1999.

“She has been training very well since the Smart and Fancy (L),” trainer Mike Trombetta said of Future Is Now, who won that Saratoga race for the second year in a row on Aug. 15.

Future Is Now ran three times at Saratoga this summer as she did in 2024 with two victories each year. In all of those races, she was ridden by Paco Lopez, who has been aboard for her past nine starts with seven wins.

Lopez will not be aboard Sunday as he is serving a six-month suspension.

“That is not by design but I have a very capable replacement and I am sure he will figure it out,” Trombetta said of Irad Ortiz Jr., who will be riding Future Is Now for the first time.

“She is a very nice filly and she always shows up,” Ortiz said Saturday morning.

The Maryland-bred is closing in on millionaire status and given her roster of races this season, Sunday could close the 2025 campaign.

“Hopefully she runs next year,” Trombetta said. “We’ll evaluate her after this and make a decision.”

Trombetta has won five stakes at Keeneland with two from Future Is Now and two from Arzak who was retired this week.

“Two days ago I found out he had a stallion deal in New York,” Trombetta said of the 7-year-old millionaire, who won the 2023 Woodford (G2) Presented by Fan Duel and the 2024 Shakertown (G2) here. “He had lost a step and had terrible luck this year and caught a lot of soft courses. We figured he had done enough.”

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, SPENDTHRIFT AND COX
DELIVER A HORSE TO WATCH

Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado stamped himself as a horse to watch with a 20-length victory  Friday afternoon for trainer Brad Cox for his first win in three starts.

Blake Cox, assistant to his father and who oversaw the Saratoga string this summer, was on hand when Further Ado had a couple of midpack finishes while sprinting.

“We were scratching our heads after his first two starts,” Cox said. “He had been working too well, and he was working with older horses and putting them away.”

Fast-forward to Friday, when Further Ado received his first test going two turns. All he did was draw off to win under Irad Ortiz Jr. and complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.52, faster than it took Spendthrift’s Ted Noffey to win the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on Oct. 4.

Cox indicated the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 or an allowance race around that time could be next for Further Ado.

Further Ado’s victory mirrored that of Spendthrift in the race for leading owner at the Fall Meet. Spendthrift has sent out six starters in the first six days of the 17-day meet and all six have won.

One of Spendthrift’s winners is owned in partnership with Repole Stable.

RAGTIME HEADS DEEP FIELD FOR LEXUS RAVEN RUN

Godolphin’s Ragtime, runner-up in the Test (G1) Presented by Ticketmaster and easy winner of the Dogwood (G3) Presented by Resolute Racing at Churchill Downs last month, heads a field of 12 plus three also-eligibles for next Saturday’s 27th running of the $400,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) for 3-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs on the main track.

Trained by Bill Mott, who won the 2021 edition of the race with Caramel Swirl, Ragtime will be ridden by Junior Alvarado from post 9.

The race also marks the return to the races for Shortleaf Stable’s Quietside for trainer John Ortiz. A two-time graded stakes winner and second choice when sixth in this spring’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her most recent start, Quietside will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 11.

The field for the Lexus Raven Run, with trainers, riders and weights from the rail out, is:

BAFFERT DUO TOPS PERRYVILLE FIELD OF SIX

Gaming and Barnes, two graded stakes winners for trainer Bob Baffert, top a field of six entered Saturday for next Saturday’s 17th running of the $350,000 Perryville (G3) for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs on the main track.

Owned by the partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, Gaming won the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and was runner-up in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. He will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 1.

Zedan Racing Stables’ Barnes won the San Vicente (G2) to start the year and most recently was a rallying fourth of 10 in the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx on Sept. 20. Jose Ortiz has the mount from post 3.

The field for the Perryville, with trainers, riders and weights from the rail out, is:

WORK TAB

Working on a turf course rated as good for possible closing weekend stakes were KatieRich Stables’ May Day Ready and Terry Stephens’ Chunk of Gold.

May Day Ready, a two-time graded stakes winner including the 2024 Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales, worked 3 furlongs in :39.40 in preparation for an expected start in the 35th running of the $400,000 Bank of America Valley (G2) for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf on Oct. 24.

Chunk of Gold, the West Virginia Derby (G3) winner trained by Ethan West, worked a half-mile in :50.20 for a possible grass debut in the 21st running of the $600,000 Bryan Station (G3) going a mile on Oct. 25.

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$350,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 19) — Adrasteia (Fergus Bogle), Bless My Stars (SAF) (Brendan Walsh), Boss Lady Bailey (Mike Maker), Duvet Day (IRE) (Michael McCarthy), Miwa (GB) (Joe Sharp), Ruth (Pletcher), Spanish Eyes (GER) (Walsh), Venencia (FR) (Walsh), Vive Veuve (Sharp).

SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the Fall Meet, special events and activities will continue Keeneland’s historic mission to support the Central Kentucky community and the Thoroughbred industry. They include:

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for description, availability and to purchase tickets.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting)

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for tailgating on The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland). Fans can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered for those with track admission tickets.

The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the final race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For fans who want to elevate their experience, Keeneland again is partnering with RevelXP to tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more. Click here for more details.

Sunday, Oct. 12

Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to a special day at the races and will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating when they present their membership cards at admission entrances. Children’s activities in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include face painting, a sweet treat and activities with local community partners such as Amplify Horse Racing, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, LexArts and Eckert’s Orchard. Sign up for the Kids Club at Keeneland.com/kidsclub.

Check out these additional events

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by South entrance) will feature Darren K. Moore Jewelry (through Oct. 12).

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 10 (6 days of 17-day season)